CII Bestows 2026 Connie Award on Alan McCorkle and Lifetime Achievement Award on Sue Coffey

LONG BEACH: The Containerization & Intermodal Institute (CII) celebrated industry leadership, career achievement and the future of the containerization and intermodal industry at its 2026 Connie Awards dinner on Wednesday night at the Marriott Long Beach Downtown Hotel.

A longstanding industry tradition, the Connie Awards bring together leaders from across the maritime and intermodal community to recognize individuals whose careers and contributions have made a lasting impact on the industry. This year, CII bestowed its prestigious Connie Award on Alan McCorkle, President and CEO of Yusen Terminals, and honored Sue Coffey, Vice President of Marketing and Key Accounts at The Pacific Companies, with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

McCorkle was recognized for his leadership, operational expertise and lasting contributions to containerization and intermodal transportation. Over more than three decades in the maritime and terminal industry, he has helped shape port and terminal operations, overseen major infrastructure development projects and driven operational excellence across global logistics networks.

Established in 1972, the Connie Award recognizes visionary leaders who have demonstrated courage, innovation and a lasting commitment to advancing the containerization and intermodal industry. McCorkle’s award was presented by past Connie Award recipient Joseph S. Gregorio, Sr., CEO and Chairman of The Pacific Companies.

“Alan represents exactly what this award was created to celebrate,” said Rob Cannizzaro, who served as emcee for the evening and is a CII Board Member and Executive Director of the Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association. “He has led through some of the most demanding stretches our industry has faced, not just building something significant at Yusen Terminals, but building it with integrity and genuine care for the people around him.”

Coffey received CII’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of a career spanning more than 40 years in transportation and maritime logistics, marked by contributions to global trade, business development and industry collaboration. Her career has included leadership roles with Sea-Land, CSX, Eagle Global Logistics, the Port of Tacoma/The Northwest Seaport Alliance and The Pacific Companies, providing her with a broad perspective across the maritime and intermodal supply chain.

Coffey has also dedicated more than 20 years to CII, contributing her experience and industry perspective to the organization and continuing to serve today as a valued advisor to its Board of Directors. Her Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by her cousin, Commander John “JC” Coffey, U.S. Navy (Retired).

“Sue’s more than 40-year career reflects an extraordinary commitment to this industry and the people who make it stronger,” Cannizzaro said. “Her influence can be seen throughout the industry, as well as here at CII, where her many years of service have helped shape the organization we are today. We are incredibly grateful for all she has contributed to both.”

In keeping with CII tradition, the organization also made a donation in McCorkle’s name to a charity of his choosing, the Boys & Girls Club of Los Angeles Harbor.

McCorkle joins a distinguished group of more than 70 Connie Award recipients whose careers and contributions have helped shape the containerization and intermodal industry. Past honorees include containerization pioneer Malcom McLean, The Honorable Helen Delich Bentley, Allen Clifford, The Honorable Mario Cordero, Ed DeNike, Joseph Gregorio, Jon Hemingway, Vincent Marino, Robert Sappio, Gene Seroka and Peter Tirschwell.

The evening also celebrated the next generation of industry professionals, reflecting an important part of CII’s mission: supporting education and helping the containerization and intermodal industry attract, develop and retain the best and brightest talent. Earlier in the day, CII awarded 18 scholarships to students and institutions across the country, including California State University, Long Beach; the University of Southern California; EXP; and the California Maritime Academy.

Since 1992, CII has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships, investing in the people who will help shape and strengthen the future of the industry. Companies and individuals can support CII’s ongoing commitment to industry education by funding scholarships beginning at $1,000. Information about funding a named scholarship is available from CII Executive Director Lisa Aurichio at  info@containerization.org.

About CII

The Containerization & Intermodal Institute (CII) is a nonprofit organization that promotes industry awareness, preserves the history of intermodalism and fosters education and career development within the containerization and intermodal industry. CII advances these goals through educational conferences and seminars, industry resources, networking opportunities, career guidance, internships and scholarships.